Record companies Brash Music and Tree Top Records joined together to develop and produce the Cradle Rock series of albums that use smooth sounds from instruments to create lullabies that are true to the original melodic structure and tempo of popular songs.

Each album is produced for parents who want to introduce their children to the music and artists they love, such as U2 and Pink Floyd, but in a softer format. Upcoming releases will feature lullabies based on U2′s The Joshua Tree, Pink Floyd’s The Sleepy Side of the Moon, and Taylor Swift’s Fearless.

Distributed by The Warner Music Group, Cradle Rock albums are available online, on iTunes for $9.99, and music retail outlets across the United States for $11.98.

New Products

Marvel’s Ant-Man is still going strong in theaters, and so is Disney Consumer Products’ (DCP) and Marvel‘s Ant-Man product collection. The lineup includes costumes, construction sets, action figures, and more from licensees such as Hasbro, LEGO, Funko, Hot Wheels, Rubie’s Costume Co., and Uncle Milton.

Skechers USA Inc. has partnered with Jakks Pacific Inc. to launch a new line of dolls based on Skechers’ popular Twinkle Toes character. The initial launch includes four unique dolls that stand 6.5 inches in height, and are dressed in colorful, fashion-forward outfits and light-up Skechers Twinkle Toes shoes.

LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. will release three new preschool toys—the Number Lovin’ Oven and Scout’s Build & Discover Tool Set, which offer pretend play experiences that teach math and measurement, respectively—and the Word Whammer, a phonics game that prepares children for kindergarten in an active way.

Now available from VTech, Flipsies combine traditional role play with collectible dolls and accessories, as well as VTech’s proprietary MagicPoint interactive technology. The line offers a variety of ways to play and has eight introductory themes that encourage girls to be anything they want to be, whether it’s a doctor, a marine biologist, a teacher, [...]

Merchantwise, ITV Studios Global Entertainment’s appointed licensing agency in Australia, has announced strong toy and DVD sales, as well as a host of new licensing and retail partners, for the TV series Thunderbirds Are Go in Australia.